Ramayana Costume Designers Address Backlash, Share Inspiration Behind Sita and Kaikeyi Looks
Nitesh Tiwari’s highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of 'Ramayana' has generated continuous public interest since its announcement. However, high-profile adaptations of revered historical and mythological texts often face intense public scrutiny regarding visual choices. Following early look reveals and ongoing discussions about character designs, costume designers Rimple and Harpreet Narula stepped forward to explain the creative vision driving their work on the film.
Addressing criticisms and comparisons circulating across social media platforms, the designer duo emphasized that translating ancient textual descriptions onto the big screen requires a careful balance between authentic historical research, regional textile traditions, and cinematic storytelling demands.
Rather than adopting a modern fantasy aesthetic, the team focused on utilizing traditional vegetable dyes, hand-woven textiles, and age-old embroidery techniques. The designers expressed confidence that when audiences experience the costumes within the full context of the film's lighting, narrative, and world-building, the visual choices will feel natural and immersive.
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Addressing criticisms and comparisons circulating across social media platforms, the designer duo emphasized that translating ancient textual descriptions onto the big screen requires a careful balance between authentic historical research, regional textile traditions, and cinematic storytelling demands.
Crafting the Visual Identity for Sita and Kaikeyi
The designers revealed that each character's wardrobe was conceptualized to reflect their unique narrative arcs, emotional trajectories, and regional heritage within the epic:- Sai Pallavi as Sita: For Sita's wardrobe, the design team prioritized simplicity, organic textures, and traditional weaving techniques. The aim was to convey purity, grace, and grounded elegance without relying on overly modern or exaggerated embellishments. The fabrics used were sourced from specialized artisanal clusters to maintain a tactile, era-appropriate feel.
- Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi: In contrast, Queen Kaikeyi’s attire was designed to project regal majesty, strength, and royal grandeur. Reflecting her background and status, her ensembles feature rich color palettes, intricate embroidery, and bold silhouettes that reflect both her royal stature and dynamic personality.
- Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram: While addressing the female leads' attire, the designers also noted that overall wardrobe conceptualization across the cast including lead actor Ranbir Kapoor follows a unified visual hierarchy designed to complement the film's production design.
Balancing Historical Tradition With Cinematic Realism
Rimple and Harpreet Narula explained that their design process involved months of archival research, studying ancient sculptures, classical art, and ancient Indian literature to capture authentic drapery styles and color symbolism.Rather than adopting a modern fantasy aesthetic, the team focused on utilizing traditional vegetable dyes, hand-woven textiles, and age-old embroidery techniques. The designers expressed confidence that when audiences experience the costumes within the full context of the film's lighting, narrative, and world-building, the visual choices will feel natural and immersive.
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